New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-18
TESTING THE HEAT OF THE HEAD.

THE LITTLE MACHINE WHICH DR.. HAMMOND 1STD
oY JAY GOULD.
The other day Jay Gould visited the office OF Dr
William A. Hammond, In West fihy-fouiu-st, ior
tho purpose OF finding ont what, II anything was the
matter with his head. He had been trOuDed WIN
neuralgia and insomnia, and decided that he would
have Dr. Hammond test his Uranium with his wonder
ful therno -electrc differcntial ca ormeter Within
half an hour after Mr. G0uld's visit the doctor was
overwhelmed with questions as to the nature of the
Wall street magnatc = malsdy. The questions came
by telegraph by messenger and by personal entrca'y,
for the most part of course from people Interested
I'm tho stock market "Trfbnno' reporter VINO
desired TO the opinion OF tho ex-Surgeon"encia
of the Army regard the proposed service pension
bill, which is now the subject Of discussion In army
and navy circles, called on the doctor yesterday,
and before entering upon that topic, incidentally
asked him what the result Of his examination
of MIR Goulds head.
81 shall not tell you," replied DR.. Hammond. with
professional wariness 81 TAX abont the cases
of my patients. II did, i might often give out
points which would make serious changes In stock
quotations in VAL street and that would be manfesy
improper and dishonest my part. But" continued
he, "if you win step with mo into my examination
room, viii show you tho machine examined Mr.
GOuds head with"
The caiorimcter rested upon table before the
darkened window. The doctor explained that 1t was
the invention of DR.. J. s. Lombard. formerly assistant
professor Of phreno,ogy at Harvard Its action Is
demonstrated by means OF a delicate needle upon the
face Of graduated circular scale, about three Inches
in diameter The heat Of the various portions OF tho
head which It registers, is changed into electricity
by applying the thermO-electric poles, which are
similar to the handles of a galvanic battery, when
the needle inst aneously records tho result 30
delicate is this instrument that the heat generated
Dy tho agitation of the wings of bee, at tho end of
Tin tube three feet long placed against one OF the
poles, will be recorded by the needle
ain a healthy right handed person., said tho doctor,
athe left side Of the head is hotter than the right
SIDE. The forehead also il hotter than the back OF
tho head in state of health II the person be left
handed the right side will be the hotter. by means
of this instrument can detect and locate cot OF
blood upon tae brain OF patient. Now, II you will
sit in this chair where Mr.. Gould sat- facing the In
strriment, i viii show you how 1t works You are
icft-handed, Oh"
81 I'm not, replied the reporter.
@Then, said tho doctor, "if your head il all right,
when ! place the poles against either side OF II tho
needle will move toward the window"
Tho needle moved toward the window.
81 viii now change the poles to your forehead and
the back of your head If your head is in healthy
condition, the needle win toward yOu."
The change In the manner OF application caused the
needle TO move toward the reporter
"If 1t Is any satisfaction to you," said DR.. Ham
mond, "you may be pleased to know that your head
Is level.
Except to say that the needles moved similarly,
when Mr.. Gould occupied tho chair, however, the
doctor would reveal nothing the condition OF his
famous patients head 1t was learned
elsewhere, nevertheless, that Mr.. Gouds
fears for the condition of his brain
hsvt been quleted by the action Of the doctors little
machine, and that his sleep has returned 10 him and
his neuralgia has In great measure departed. Most
people In Wall Street viii be glad TO hear that he Is
not much awake as no has been Of late
In regard to the pension discussion, the Surgeon
General said that no earnestly in favor of giving
a pension to ali volunteers who needed assistance,
and that, whIc IT q subject which ought TO DO
vel considered before an opinion was expressed, he
thought that the monthly amount should be graded in
accordance with the time the veteran had served. But
he utterly against pensioning drafted men
substitutes. "These men," said he, event only be-
cause they were Obliged to and deserve pensions
But tho who volunteered, especially those who
went at tho beginning Of tho struggle, should
tho aid of the Government II they need II, and 1 am
prepared to that they ought not TO be pensond
way"